[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 21 (Monday, May 27, 2002)]
[Pages 863-864]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7565--National Maritime Day, 2002

 May 21, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Our commercial maritime tradition dates back to the founding of our 
Nation; and it continues to play an important role today, moving 
passengers and freight, protecting our freedom, and linking our citizens 
to the world.
    Merchant mariners have served America with distinction throughout 
our history, but especially at critical moments. Before World War II, 
they made dangerous and difficult voyages carrying vital supplies to 
Europe. During that war, more than 700 United States merchant ships were 
lost to attack, and more than 6,000 merchant mariners lost their lives. 
Merchant mariners played a vital role

[[Page 864]]

in the Korean Conflict, especially in the rescue of 14,000 Korean 
civilians by the SS MEREDITH VICTORY. During the Vietnam War, ships 
crewed by civilian seamen carried 95 percent of the supplies used by our 
Armed Forces. Many of these ships sailed into combat zones under fire. 
In fact, the SS MAYAGUEZ incident involved the capture of mariners from 
the American merchant ship SS MAYAGUEZ.
    More recently, during the Persian Gulf War merchant mariners were 
vital to the largest sealift operation since D-Day. And after the tragic 
attacks of September 11th, professional merchant mariners and midshipmen 
from the United States Merchant Marine Academy transported personnel and 
equipment and moved food and supplies to lower Manhattan. Their efforts 
enhanced rescue operations and helped save many lives.
    Today, the men and women of the United States Merchant Marine and 
thousands of other workers in our Nation's maritime industry continue to 
make immeasurable contributions to our economic strength and our ongoing 
efforts to build a more peaceful world. We must ensure our maritime 
system can meet the challenges of the 21st century. As cargo volume is 
expected to double within the next 20 years, a viable maritime network 
will help our country compete in our global economy.
    Accordingly, my Administration is working with government agencies, 
the shipping industry, labor, and environmental groups to ensure that 
our waterways remain a sound transportation option that complements our 
overland transportation network.
    In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the 
Congress, by joint resolution approved on May 20, 1933, as amended, has 
designated May 22 of each year as ``National Maritime Day'' and has 
authorized and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation 
calling for its appropriate observance.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2002, as National Maritime Day. I 
call upon the people of the United States to celebrate this observance 
and to display the flag of the United States at their homes and in their 
communities. I also request that all ships sailing under the American 
flag dress ship on that day.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 
day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 23, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 24.